Chapter 122
“When I go to the Kingdom of Calles… I won’t be able to hear any news from the Empire, will I?”
At her question, the man’s brows faintly furrowed.
“That’s right. And I won’t be delivering you any news either.”
“…”
“You haven’t even left yet. Are you already thinking of coming back?”
She only wanted to know whether Euphen was safe. Whether he was doing well.
But she understood that Sillian was right. If she were to hear that he was in pain, struggling, or even dead… she wouldn’t be able to bear it.
Watching her expression quietly, the man gave a faint, bitter smile.
“Didn’t the Imperial Prince tell you to leave?”
“Yes.”
“Then that man doesn’t want to hear anything about you anymore either.”
It must be the same for him. If even a single word about the other reached their ears, they would want to run to each other.
“I won’t tell you to forget. But you must bury it deep in your heart.”
At his calm voice, she slowly nodded.
Even after they had made a full circle going around the garden, Sillian showed no intention of letting her go easily.
As though he no longer wanted to abide by the rules Euphen had set.
“Did he not tell you when to leave?”
“…No.”
“The sooner, the better.”
“Yes, that’s… true.”
Just one more day.
If she went on like this, she would never be able to leave, even after months had passed.
“Tomorrow, then.”
“No.”
“Lynette.”
“I… still have to go to Shirin and erase the lingering effects one last time.”
It was a string of excuses, one after another, hardly convincing even to herself.
Listening quietly, Sillian let out a short sigh.
“Will a week be enough?”
“Yes. That’s plenty.”
Even if she were given several days, it wouldn’t truly be enough to sort out her heart completely. But it wasn’t something she could keep dragging on forever. It was better to set a definite day to end it all.
“If the Imperial Prince told you directly, then that means you don’t have to run away in secret.”
Not having to disappear like she was fleeing, that was all it meant.
Euphen had even told her that if she needed anything, he would prepare it for her.
Lynette quietly lowered her gaze.
Sillian’s lips moved faintly, as though he wanted to say more, but he eventually closed his mouth.
“I’ll come tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Sillian lightly brushed his lips against the back of her hand, then stepped away.
Subconsciously, her gaze lifted toward the window where Euphen sometimes stood.
She couldn’t make out his silhouette clearly, but she felt as though he was there, watching her behind the curtain’s shadow.
Lynette quietly returned to the palace.
When she spent time with Sillian longer than scheduled, or when they seemed too close, Euphen, who would always be standing by the stairs, was nowhere to be seen.
Gripping the railing tightly, she slowly climbed the steps.
She would have to get used to a world without Euphen.
***
A week.
There was no need to tell others that the Imperial Prince’s lover would soon be leaving, but she felt she should at least tell Lara and Mari.
She only told them that she would be leaving soon.
Both of them looked at her, shocked, unable to speak.
They were probably assuming Euphen’s affection had faded, but she didn’t bother to correct them.
She couldn’t tell them the truth anyway. Lynette would simply disappear quietly.
Without any real explanation, and without taking much with her, she began putting everything in order.
Mari, looking frustrated, spoke up indirectly.
As someone who had once been his lover, she hinted that Lynette should at least take something significant with her.
Lynette only smiled.
She had no intention of asking him for anything. Nor did she need to.
She was going far from the Empire, and it wasn’t as if she could take a mansion with her.
There was no reason to carry piles of money, either.
She didn’t know how wealthy the Kingdom of Calles was, but she doubted she would live in poverty.
“You’re really leaving all your clothes behind?”
“Yes. I wanted to give them to you or Lara if they fit, but it’s a shame they don’t.”
“Even if you leave them here, they’ll just end up as trash.”
It wasn’t as though she could bring heavy, voluminous dresses on such a long journey.
Lynette let out a quiet laugh and shrugged.
“I’ll tell them to take good care of both you and Lara.”
“Sure, I’m sure they’ll really listen to you as you’re being sent away.”
Unable to hold back, Mari spoke with a sneer.
Lara, glancing nervously at her, poked her on the side.
“They’ll listen to her at least that much.”
“The worst that’ll happen is we end up doing the laundry.”
“Mari!”
“What? Did I say anything wrong?”
Watching the two, Lynette let out a short laugh.
She’d thought there would be more to pack, but as she tidied up, she realized she had very little.
Perhaps it was because she had lived for so long in the Mage Tower, keeping her life simple.
And neither Euphen nor Lynette had much interest in jewels. She never asked for them, and he never went out of his way to give them.
‘I should have stayed at the Mage Tower a bit longer.’
If she had, she could’ve left with a lighter heart, without having to sort through anything.
Lynette smiled bitterly.
She had known all along that things would come to this, and yet she hadn’t prepared herself.
She must have believed that these fleeting moments will last forever.
A bitter smile spread across her lips.
‘Now, I have no reason left to see His Highness the Imperial Prince.’
Was she really not allowed to embrace him, even for one last time?
But since it was the last time, maybe she could.
She had sacrificed countless days for Euphen’s sake.
Spending just a little more wouldn’t change anything now.
As those thoughts filled her mind, a knock came at the door.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.